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Casualties of Unification?: Understanding the Various Interpretations of the Dissolution of the Nationale Volksarmee and the Integration of Its Members into the Bundeswehr.

Creator

Weidanz, Roy R., Stoltzfus, Nathan, Adamovich, Ljubisa S., Jones, James P., Program in Russian and East European Studies, Florida State University

Abstract/Description

Over the last few years the military aspect of German unification has received positive media coverage, which has prompted some to apply the term Armee der Einheit (Armed Forces of Unity) to describe the Bundeswehr of today. However, there are others who have argued that this term is inappropriate, as the process that occurred between the two militaries was a one-sided procedure that almost entirely favored the Bundeswehr (West German armed forces). After the NVA (East German armed forces)... Show moreOver the last few years the military aspect of German unification has received positive media coverage, which has prompted some to apply the term Armee der Einheit (Armed Forces of Unity) to describe the Bundeswehr of today. However, there are others who have argued that this term is inappropriate, as the process that occurred between the two militaries was a one-sided procedure that almost entirely favored the Bundeswehr (West German armed forces). After the NVA (East German armed forces) was dissolved, only a limited number of its personnel was taken over into the West German military and an even smaller amount eventually became permanent Bundeswehr soldiers. Furthermore, the process did not occur without some form of sacrifice placed upon most of the NVA personnel. As a result, there are a variety of interpretations on the dissolution of the NVA and the integration of its personnel into the Bundeswehr. Thus, one of the main challenges to understanding the event is to analyze how and why divergent interpretations have been derived, which in turn will help in the comprehension of the overall unification event as well as the open issues that continue to have a psychological impact on the former East Germans. Show less

Date Issued

2005

Identifier

FSU_migr_etd-1220

Format

Thesis

Title

Leninist Concepts of Social Responsibility and Truth as Philosophical Foundations for Dissidence.

Creator

Keitel, Jolie, Efimov, Nina, Wakamiya, Lisa, Grant, Jonathan, Program in Russian and East European Studies, Florida State University

Abstract/Description

My thesis starts by looking at Lenin's interpretation of Marxism. The Leninist ideas of a tangible reality, the rejection of social democratic compromise and the importance of social responsibility as well as personal responsibility for political action. These ideas that facilitated the 1917 Bolshevik revolution in Russia can be paralleled to the ideas later used by anti-government activists. I examine the sociopolitical environment of the Soviet Union following Stalin's death in 1953. With... Show moreMy thesis starts by looking at Lenin's interpretation of Marxism. The Leninist ideas of a tangible reality, the rejection of social democratic compromise and the importance of social responsibility as well as personal responsibility for political action. These ideas that facilitated the 1917 Bolshevik revolution in Russia can be paralleled to the ideas later used by anti-government activists. I examine the sociopolitical environment of the Soviet Union following Stalin's death in 1953. With Khrushchev's denunciation of Stalin a new era began across the Eastern Bloc. Using Václav Havel and his interpretation of Jan Patočka's phenomenology I create a wide schema for what is, and ultimately what creates a political "dissident." Phenomenology examines the way individuals interpret first person experiences, and what meaning they then apply to those experiences. Arguably the tyrannical environment of the Eastern Bloc shaped its own opposition. I then present the work of several Russian "dissidents" to first show the truly Leninist roots of their work, and then illustrate that this "dissidence" is not a national movement, rather it was shaped by oppression. Thus "dissidents" are forced to politically act because they have learned to from their own history. The foundations of the Bolshevik revolution necessitated radical political action because of an overwhelming social responsibility. The concept of a world unified proletariat revolution can be modernized to a concept of a world wide dissident movement against tyranny. Show less

Date Issued

2011

Identifier

FSU_migr_etd-3241

Format

Thesis

Title

Restorative and Retributive Justice Techniques: A Case Study of the Former Yugoslavia.

Creator

King, Janelle, Program in International Affairs

Abstract/Description

This research project focuses on methods of bringing sustainable peace and justice to the victims and their communities of the former Yugoslavia, specifically regarding the countries of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Serbia. The paper discusses the various restorative and retributive justice mechanisms that have been established to bring justice to the Balkan region. There has been insufficient scholarly investigation into both perspectives of justice, while also considering the opinions... Show moreThis research project focuses on methods of bringing sustainable peace and justice to the victims and their communities of the former Yugoslavia, specifically regarding the countries of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Serbia. The paper discusses the various restorative and retributive justice mechanisms that have been established to bring justice to the Balkan region. There has been insufficient scholarly investigation into both perspectives of justice, while also considering the opinions of locals and victims who lived through the conflict. The conclusions from this paper will be helpful to victims, community members, political leaders, and nongovernmental, civil society, and international organizations in this specific region in order to successfully restore justice. The primary research in this study involved several qualitative interviews with various representatives from nongovernmental and international organizations, the Tribunal that incarcerates perpetrators of the human rights abuses that occurred in the 1990s, and locals who lived either in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, or Serbia during the conflicts. The research attempts to determine what is missing in these countries to achieve sustainable peace. Conclusively, persistent themes are acknowledged through these interviews and addressed in a methodological foundation to attain viable reconciliation in the context of the region. Show less